Explained: Squid Game Season 2 Ending and Gi-hun’s Fate

Explained: Squid Game Season 2 Ending and Gi-hun’s Fate

In the thrilling conclusion of Squid Game Season 2, a desperate group of competitors attempts a coup against the guards while searching for the enigmatic Front Man. However, their plan unravels with catastrophic consequences, hinting at a potentially grim outlook for Season 3.

The narrative framework of Season 2 is relatively straightforward. Returning to the deadly arena as Player 456, Seong Gi-hun is joined by detective Hwang Jun-ho, who is on a perilous quest to locate the hidden island, aided by Captain Park and a battalion of mercenaries.

As expected, the games are brutal and relentless. The initial challenges, including Red Light, Green Light and the deadly Six-Legged Pentathlon, result in significant casualties. The tension escalates even further during a harrowing bathroom clash, further intensifying the stakes.

The season finale, Episode 7, delivers an exhilarating climax. While some revelations may be anticipated, others will take viewers by surprise. Here’s a breakdown of how it all unfolds.

What Transpires in the Finale of Squid Game Season 2?

The season culminates with Oh Young-il reclaiming his role as the Front Man, a grave twist underscores his cruelty as he murders Gi-hun’s close friend, Jung-bae.

The finale kicks off following the chaos of the bathroom fight, presenting a new “special game.” Divided on whether to continue fighting, those in favor are fiercely attacked by their opponents when the lights extinguish, resulting in a bloody melee.

In a cunning strategy, Gi-hun persuades his allies to lay low beneath the beds until the guards arrive. Seizing this moment, they overpower the guards, leaving one alive to guide them to the control room.

Armed and determined, Gi-hun, Jung-bae, and a handful of comrades advance to the stairwell, engaging in a fierce firefight with the guards. After a tense standoff, they manage to progress to a new level, where they find themselves faced with even more heavily armed adversaries.

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As ammunition runs low, Young-il recruits two men to assist Gi-hun. Meanwhile, Hyun-ju sends Dae-ho to gather more ammunition, but his fear prevents him from returning. When Hyun-ju rushes downstairs to find him, three contestants face execution, and a fourth takes their own life.

The guards re-enter the main hall to impose control. Just as Hyun-yu prepares to engage, she’s halted by Geum-ja’s plea, “You can’t die like this.”

Meanwhile, Gi-hun, unaware of Young-il’s true identity, shares his remaining bullets with him for a flanking maneuver. In a chilling twist, Gi-hun kills his allies and instructs the guards to conclude the rampage before donning his black suit and mask.

When Gi-hun and Jung-bae surrender, the Front Man taunts, “Player 456, did you enjoy playing the hero? Witness the aftermath of your fantasies.” He then executes Jung-bae, leaving Gi-hun in shock as he gazes at his friend’s lifeless body.

What’s the Prize Amount for Season 3?

The piggy bank in Squid Game
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At the conclusion of Season 2, the pot contains approximately 41.1 billion won. If all remaining 45 players choose to end the games in Season 3, each contestant could potentially walk away with over 900 million won.

The finale does not specify the final prize amount nor the exact number of surviving players. However, after examining the scenes closely, it can be deduced that when Gi-hun and his allies initiate their coup, 52 contestants remain. My calculations indicate seven characters perish during the guard shootouts: Jung-bae and two who sided with Young-il, along with four others on the staircases. The exact count of remaining contestants will be clarified in Season 3.

What Lies Ahead for Gi-hun?

Gi-hun in Squid Game Season 2
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The future of Gi-hun in Season 3 is shrouded in uncertainty. He faces three possibilities: execution (least likely), being compelled to re-enter the games as Player 456 (most probable), or potentially being coerced into a role similar to a guard (the most intriguing scenario).

One certainty remains – Season 3 will mark the conclusion of Gi-hun’s journey. In a discussion with THR, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk mentioned, “It became evident to me that this will be the finale of the story.”

He elaborated, “I sought to narrate Gi-hun’s evolution following his experiences at the close of Season 1, depicting his efforts to dismantle the games. As the creator, it was pivotal for me to deliver that narrative, repaying the immense support we have received from the audience.”

What Are Captain Park’s Loyalties?

Captain Park in Squid Game Season 2
Netflix

While not explicitly confirmed, it is apparent that Captain Park operates under the Front Man’s command, tasked with preventing outsiders from discovering the games’ hidden location.

His cloud of suspicion grows throughout the season. Initially, he aids Jun-ho when the Front Man, his brother, ambushes him. Captain Park has since been instrumental in the hunt for the elusive island. His close association with Jun-ho raises the question: was it safer for him to feign friendship, or would it have been wiser to cut ties entirely?

His eagerness to assist takes a dark turn in the finale. During a stormy night, when one crew member discovers him malignantly fiddling with a drone used to capture surveillance footage, suspicion runs rampant. In a shocking betrayal, Captain Park stabs the man, disposing of him without remorse.

Is Hwang Jun-ho Still Alive?

As of now, Hwang Jun-ho remains alive, but his survival hangs by a thread following Captain Park’s treachery in the finale.

Given their close trajectory toward the heart of the games, it raises questions about the captain’s motives, particularly regarding his desperate attempts to destroy evidence of the island.

While it’s uncertain what Season 3 has in store, if Captain Park has his way, Jun-ho and his team may never set foot on the island again.

What’s the Anticipated Next Game?

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While the specifics of the next game remain unconfirmed, a tantalizing hint is dropped in the post-credits scene: a potential variation of Red Light, Green Light featuring two towering mannequins.

This might introduce a twist akin to a bleep test, requiring players to sprint back and forth with the mannequins monitoring their speed. However, these ideas are purely hypothetical at this time.

Squid Game Season 2 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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